The Mystery of the Google Barge, Solved

Last week, two barges loaded with strange rectangular structures entered bays near San Francisco and Portland, Maine. Until now, what they are has only been speculated, but a San Francisco news outlet has some answers.

Last week, two barges owned by Google, each carrying a load with large rectangular structures, were spotted in the bays near San Francisco and Portland, Maine. Originally, some speculated that these boats were floating Google data centers. But today, KPIX, a CBS affiliate in the Bay Area, reported that the structures are actually VIP luxury showrooms and party decks where Google can showcase upcoming gadgets and technology with exclusive guests. KPIX also says that the aquatic mystery was created by Google X, the well-known "secret" facility near the company's headquarters in Moutain View, Calif, which is directed by co-founder Sergey Brin.

The collection of 40-foot shipping containers can be built, broken down, and rearranged whenever necessary. Google designed the structure to be portable via truck or rail car, meaning the fancy Google party pads won't be moored in these bays permanently. It's not all smooth sailing, though. Construction on the barges has stalled because of a visit from the U.S. Coast Guard earlier this week. The Coast Guard labeled the Google project a floating vessel, which meant that it is tied to the same safety restrictions as any sea-faring watercraft.

The Coast Guard and Google have still remained tight-lipped about the project, and Google has done a pretty good job keeping the secret—even San Francisco's Mayor Ed Lee had no idea about Google's plans, according to KPIX. No doubt these showy vessels are meant to rival Apple's equally extravagant retail stores, such as the underground, glass-structured locations in New York and Shanghai or the stores residing in the Louvre and an old opera house in Paris. However, these Google barges will be only for some, not for all.

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